Species profile
Black Bar Silver Dollar
Myloplus schomburgkii complex
Semi aggressive
Moderate care
600 L minimum aquarium
18–30 cm adult size
Midwater
Minimum group: 6
About this species
General notes for hobby use.
Black-barred Myloplus aquarium complex. Large social pacu/silver-dollar type fish requiring a substantial aquarium and a proper group. Species-level identification requires provenance or diagnostic characters after the 2024 split.
Water parameters
Suggested general range for long-term care.
Temperature
24–28 °C
pH
5.5–7.5
GH
2–15 dGH
KH
Not yet documented
Flow preference
Moderate
Data confidence
Verified
Behaviour
General behaviour traits used by TanksConnected compatibility checks.
Minimum group size
Minimum group: 6
Tank zone
Midwater
Territory level
Low
Predation risk
None
Bioload factor
4.5
Large social pacu/silver-dollar relative. Keep a proper shoal with huge swimming space; live plants are likely to be eaten and nervous fish can injure themselves when startled.
Compatibility flags
Quick cautions for common tank-planning issues.
Fin nipper
No
Plant safe
Caution
Shrimp safe
No / caution
Snail safe
Yes
Cave breeder
No
Digs substrate
No
Jump risk
Yes
Natural history & care
Research-backed context for long-term aquarium care.
Lifespan
10–15 years
Diet type
Herbivore
Minimum aquarium volume
600 L
Minimum footprint
180 × 60 cm
Alternative names
Black Bar Silver Dollar, Black-barred Myleus, Myleus schomburgkii, Myloplus schomburgkii, Myloplus aylan, Myloplus sauron
Native range
Amazonian black-barred Myloplus complex; exact geographic range depends on the confirmed member.
Natural habitat
Large Amazonian rivers and tributaries; exact distribution and habitat should follow the confirmed member of the black-barred species complex.
Diet & feeding
Predominantly plant/fruit/seed material with opportunistic invertebrates; use vegetable-rich large-fish foods, greens and varied supplementary items.
Breeding & sexing
Research-backed guidance for identifying sexes and reproductive behaviour.
Sexing
Mature males may develop more extended anal-fin rays and stronger breeding colour, but identity must be resolved before relying on species-specific dimorphism.
Breeding
Reliable species-specific home-aquarium breeding guidance should not be imported until the black-barred species identity is confirmed.